Gul: We are not training Syrian opponents

Giving a televised interview to SKY Arabia television, President Abdullah Gull evaluated the developments in the Middle East. Gul expressed concern that further escalation of violence in Syria would force larger numbers of Syrians to flee into Turkey, which already shelters nearly 24,000 Syrians in camps along the country's border with its southern neighbor. “Our concern and fear is that if things go much worse there can be a massive influx of migrants," told Gul, adding that Turkey's experience with Iraqi migrants back in 1990 also meant a giant security risk. President Gul said regional instability in the Middle East and Turkey's Arab neighbors could reach unprecedented dimensions if efforts to contain it remained unsuccessful. "Our only wish is that our neighbors in the region create an environment where they can live peacefully with their own people and other countries," Gul said.  Gul also rejected allegations that Syrian army defectors were trained in Turkey. "There are soldiers among people who fled to Turkey and to Jordan. It is out of question that Turkey trains them," he said.